How does post-Masters life look for Reed, Rickie, Spieth and Tiger?

Monday

Yes, it was a classic, as predicted. But not in the way many expected.

The 82nd Masters Tournament has come and gone.

Going in, the thinking was somewhat obvious and practically unanimous: This was the most anticipated Masters in many, many years. Maybe ever.

Coming out, the thinking is also practically unanimous: Yes, it was wonderful, from wall to wall, and the Sunday theater was again rich with drama and heroics.

But not exactly for the reasons being suggested ahead of time. Many worldwide heavyweights entered in fine form, including modern golf’s tallest timber — Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. So while the Masters lived up to its expectations, the guy who walked off in a green coat wasn’t who everyone — maybe not anyone — had in mind.

A roundup of the usual suspects and what it means going forward.

Patrick Reed

Maybe that runner-up finish in last year’s final major — the PGA Championship — should’ve been a clue, but Reed’s prior record in majors was very lacking. That was surprising, given the skills he’d shown in winning five previous PGA Tour events and starring on four U.S. teams between 2013-17.

Those who’ve watched him at his best weren’t surprised at the Reed they saw this past week, only surprised that it’s taken him this long to crack the code at majors.

Who knows what comes next for him. Sometimes a guy figures out how to win a major and he eventually wins more of them. Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, and others.

Sometimes a guy wins a major, moves on to a Hall of Fame career, but never wins another. Fred Couples, Lanny Wadkins, Davis Love III, and so many others.

With that funky “copter-cut” tee ball that finds the fairway on command, Reed’s game might better translate to those major-championship venues that quickly eliminate those who can’t drive it straight.

Rickie Fowler

Little Rickie’s value certainly went up with an excellent Masters capped by a valiant Sunday run, which was punctuated by a clutch 72nd-hole birdie. His typical grace and good cheer afterward also solidified what the golf world already knew about the talented Californian who deserves his popularity.

Like it or not, though, his close-call at Augusta might have fully plugged him into the role of “best player without a major,” one of golf’s dubious distinctions. It’s easy to say, “Oh, with all that talent, he’ll get one.” But they don’t eventually hand out a lifetime major achievement award, he has to win one.

Jordan Spieth

Even in falling short, Spieth’s stock also went way up. His blitz through the leaderboard Sunday was electrifying. The heartbreak of watching that lone straggling pine branch kill his chances on No. 18 won’t soon be forgotten — “Miss it, miss it,” he begged on his follow-through at the 18th tee, to no avail.

Spieth’s near-miss, after starting the final day nine shots back and with seven men between him and Reed, will long give hope to others in similar situations. After a shaky start to 2018, he appears to be back in form.

Oh, and as long as he returns to Augusta National, each and every time he walks off that 18th tee box, he’ll look up at that branch. Count on that.

Rory McIlroy

Oh boy. This one will leave a mark. What went wrong on Sunday?

“I mean, look, I can’t give you a good answer to that right now, because I'm just off the 18th green,” he told the media early Sunday evening. “But I'll sit down and reflect over the next few days and see what I could have potentially done better. I just didn't quite have it today.”

Yes, often, it’s as simple as that. Go to the nearest outdoor court and shoot 50 free-throws. Again tomorrow. And the next day. Some days all of your bio-mechanical tumblers are in place, some days they aren’t.

Sunday at Augusta, Rory couldn’t putt it in a Folger’s can. Other days, the ball looks like it’s on a rail.

Still, when it comes to the Masters, there’s starting to be a Johnny Miller/Tom Weiskopf/Greg Norman feel about Rory. Unlike those others, however, Rory needs a Masters to complete his career Grand Slam, which probably makes a green jacket more of a “must have” accessory for him.

Tiger and Lefty

Jack Nicklaus long ago dubbed Augusta National “a young man’s golf course.” Phil Mickelson, at 47, might reluctantly agree. But he won’t quit trying to acquire a four-day pass from Father Time.

A Thursday 70 and Sunday 67 proved he can still get it around Augusta, even when his game isn’t sharp. But the 79-74 between those two rounds showed how fragile things are when you bring your B-game to an unforgiving course.

Typically, and thankfully, Lefty is already planning for June at Shinnecock, where he’ll yet again take aim on that elusive U.S. Open title. His game has been so good for so much of 2018, you simply can’t write him off.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, took another productive step in his comeback. Yes, productive. Unfortunately, he dramatically raised expectations with his amazing play in three Florida tournaments last month, bringing his Vegas odds to “favorite” status for the Masters. In retrospect, it was easy money for the bookies.

A Sunday 69 moved him up to a tie for 32nd. Sounds disappointing when you consider the pre-Masters hype he generated. But thinking back six months, it’s a medical wonder. Better yet, the Comeback Tiger continues to be a Thankful Tiger, a Happy Tiger.

One thing hasn’t changed, however. He said Sunday he’ll go back to his old Masters tradition of putting the clubs away for a while after leaving Augusta. Regarding that, there was this, late Sunday afternoon, from Candid Tiger, who's also new around here.

“The run-up to this event is pretty hard and pretty grueling. I pushed myself pretty hard to get ready. And I peaked at it four times over the course of my career, and it's tiring.”

Overall, it’s a strange, interesting and very fun time in the world of golf.

Reach Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com

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